One of the top recruits on the board for Michigan State is offensive tackle prospect Ryan Ward of Providence Catholic High School in Illinois. SpartanMag.com was able to catch-up with the 6-foot-6, 275-pound prospect and get some details about his recruitment. Ward was recently named a 4-star recruit by rivals.com and selected to play in the United States Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

SpartanMag.com asked Ward about his recruitment and his contact with Michigan State

"Recruiting is going great," Ward stated. "I have been offered by 9 schools and Vanderbilt was the latest. Coach Roushar the offensive coordinator was in school 2 weeks ago. Michigan State offered me because I went to camp there last summer and did well. They also have said that my game film was good too."

Ward has been to Michigan State now multiple times. He had the following to say about his visit to Michigan State this past winter.

"Michigan State has a great coaching staff," he said. "Coach Roushar, the offensive line coach, is my recruiting coach. He is pretty awesome. My family has a cottage in Michigan so we are pretty familiar with the state and the area around East Lansing. Michigan State has a really nice campus and facilities and the uniforms they have are sick."

Ward has been active the past year visiting schools, and attending junior days. We asked him about his summer plans and if he has a timetable for making a college choice?

"I'm not going to any camps this summer, he said. "Hopefully I can make a decision before my senior season starts."

When the recruiting process initially starts, players are often excited about the opportunities that are presented to them. We asked Ward about positive and negatives aspects of the recruiting process now that it is in full swing.

"The best part of being recruited is knowing your hard work has paid off," he stated. "It's awesome to know that you will be playing for a big time football school. The worst part of the process is trying to balance everything. With workouts, school work, social life, visits, phone calls, emails and all that stuff."

Having to manage all those things as well as focus on their senior season is a main reason why so many players are now opting to make an early choice. Knowing they have a scholarship waiting for them no matter if they are injured also plays a role.

Michigan State decision to stick with Javon Ringer despite his knee injury was a key aspect of him becoming a Spartan. As some may know, Ward's brother Patrick is a starting offensive lineman for the Northwestern Wildcats. We asked Ryan what type of advice his brother has given him considering he went through the recruiting process just a few years ago.

"My brother has always been willing to give me advice and he hasn't tried to push me one way or another," Ward said. "He wants me to go wherever I feel comfortable."

With 9 offers on the table form some outstanding programs. Ward knows that he really cannot go wrong no matter where he decides to go. His decision will likely come down to a level of comfort with the coaches as well as being at a place where he feels he can obtain a quality education and compete for titles.

When we asked Ward about the feedback he has been getting from the coaches that have been stopping into his school. He had the following to say.

"I believe every school that has offered would be thrilled if I committed there."

No doubt that Coach Roushar and Coach Dantonio would be very excited if Ward joined the Green and White. A commitment from him would give the Spartans a 3rd high-quality offensive line prospect for the class of 2012.